PLAYING TO THE GALLERY...
I think that Steven Plaut neatly encapsulates what is happening in Israel at the moment here...
There is a truism in Israel that, every time a political leader faces prosecution for personal corruption, he starts giving away Israeli lands. The reason is that the Left controls most of the media and the judiciary and the Prosecutor's offices. So when a politician in Israel is playing ball with the Left, the Left leaves him alone. Polls are showing that more Israelis oppose giving up the Golan than the number who oppose giving up Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert is now "negotiating" turning the Golan Heights over to Syria's fascists. Any questions?
David Vance
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Is Olmert negotiating handing back the Golan Heights to Syria? If so, then he is a traitor. Many Israeli soldiers died in order to capture this piece of land which overlooks all of northern Israel. By capturing the Golan Heights, Israel guaranteed the security of its northern frontier. Asking muslims for a guarantee is madness: hudna only means truce and not peace.
He is a traitor.
Give these people a state?
The experience of Gaza should give pause to anyone thinking of giving back more land.
One might have thought that there would have been some reciprocal gesture in return for leaving Gaza. Instead, missiles, missiles and endless drama and tension.
The Syrian government would probably not be as bad an actor as the Gaza/Hamas regime has proven to be, esp in the context of an agreement. But, given a choice between having those commanding heights and a piece of paper, I think I'd keep the land.
Phantom
Yes, although the Syrian Ba'athists are indeed fascists they are not as wilfully stupid as the myriad jihadists operating out of Gaza. I seem to recall some Israeli General saying he trusted Syria to keep to a deal.
I also recall another senior Israeli General (sorry I cant remember names which i appreciate means checking what i say is more difficult) say that Israeli military superiority meant that they could keep Israeli Sovereignty without Golan.
The Golan is occupied (although technically annexed) territory. It should be handed back morally, and the settlers removed if neceessary. They are colonists in the most negative use of the word. A lot of ATW commentators would refer to the sort as illegal immigrants in another context.
Having said that I can understand Israel being wary given their previous experience. A deal with Syria would be a good way forward.
Of course there are some who seem to want Israel to be the Sparta of West Asia, constantly battling the states and peoples around her.